Urticaria: Prevention Is Better Than Cure

Allergic disorders constitute one of the commonest diseases affecting mankind. Respiratory system and skin are two most commonly effected tissues of our body. Urticaria is an allergic disorder of skin. It may be acute or chronic problem. It is marked by raised patches on the skin with redness and severe feeling of itching. Stiffness and stretching along with intense itching is a very common symptom in urticaria. Acute episodes of urticaria may subside with in a day or two with simple anti allergic treatment. The condition is said be chronic if it lasts more than four weeks. There are many factors which may trigger urticaria. Certain food stuffs, contact with certain plants, drugs and environmental factors could be the possible cause of acute or chronic urticaria. Underlying mechanism involves the immune interactions or hyper-sensitivity reaction. Urticaria rashes can affect any area of the body. There may be wheel and flare type reaction on skin with redness. Auto-immune disorders may also cause chronic urticaria. Self assessment of the cause of urticaria is possible. Assessment of urticaria due to food stuff is possible by diet elimination and provocation test. Do as follows:

1. For three days stop all food stuffs except water, sugar and salt - urticaria due to food item will clear.
2. On 4^th day take milk in addition to above mentioned items - if no urticaria - no allergy to milk.
3. On 5^th day add potatoes to your diet in addition to above mentioned items - if no urticaria - no allergy to potatoes.
4. On 6^th day add wheat to your diet in addition to above mentioned items - if no urticaria - no allergy to wheat.
5. On 7^th day add pulses to your diet in addition to above mentioned items - if no urticaria - no allergy to pulses.
6. Continue the same diet for a week - no urticaria
7. On 15^th day add rice (or suspected food item) to you diet in addition to above mentioned items - if urticaria occurs - you are allergic to rice (or suspected food item).

Always avoid the item causing allergy, since, prevention is better than cure.

Important: Food stuffs with preservatives should be avoided for good
health.